The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of Exercise Sea Vigil-24 on November 20–21, 2024. This exercise, designed to assess and strengthen India’s coastal defence capabilities, will cover an unprecedented scale, involving six ministries and 21 organizations/agencies. The exercise aims to evaluate India’s coastal security infrastructure, including ports, oil rigs, and critical coastal assets, along with strengthening maritime security through coordinated efforts with other services like the Army and Air Force.
A significant aspect of Sea Vigil-24 is its emphasis on enhancing the security of coastal populations and assets. For the first time, National Security Council Secretariat officials will be part of the Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE), alongside personnel from various agencies such as the Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, and State Marine Police.
The exercise’s broader goal is to raise awareness among the coastal communities, including the fishing community and coastal residents, about the importance of maritime security. Additionally, the involvement of students from organizations like NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides will further spread awareness.
Exercise Sea Vigil, first conceptualized in 2018, was established after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to bolster coastal defence readiness across India’s extensive coastline and exclusive economic zone. The exercise provides a national-level review of the preparedness of maritime security agencies and serves as a precursor to the biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) conducted by the Indian Navy